Spurs Aim to Close Out Timberwolves in Game 6 at Target Center

The San Antonio Spurs, with a 3-2 series lead, visit the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center on Friday for Game 6. A win sends San Antonio to the Western Conference Finals.

San Antonio dominated Game 5 by a score of 126-97 to seize control. Victor Wembanyama posted game highs of 27 points and 17 rebounds. The performance came after he was ejected in the first half of Game 4 for elbowing Timberwolves center Naz Reid.

Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards has averaged 23.6 points in the series on 50.6 percent shooting and 40.0 percent from three-point range despite an injury. His teammates have not matched that production.

FanDuel lists San Antonio as a -225 moneyline favorite with a -5.5 spread. The total is 218.5.

Two factors favor the Spurs covering the spread and winning. Edwards lacks sufficient help from teammates. The Spurs' only losses came when Wembanyama struggled in Game 1 with 11 points on 0-for-8 three-point shooting or got ejected in Game 4.

Power forward Julius Randle, Minnesota's second-leading scorer in the regular season, averages 14.8 points in the series on 45.4 percent true shooting. Wembanyama's rim protection limits Randle's drives to the basket. Guard Stephon Castle, a top perimeter defender, also shadows Randle effectively.

Center Rudy Gobert has offered little offense. A poor outside shooter, he fails to pull Wembanyama from the paint. Wembanyama has disrupted Gobert, who has missed layups.

Wembanyama holds a plus-25 net rating in the series. Minnesota appears helpless against San Antonio's size and athleticism.

Prediction: Spurs 111, Timberwolves 99.